royal baby

What is in a name?

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_____________, Princess of Cambridge

As we wait with curiosity for the name of the Princess of Cambridge, I wonder about the significance of a name, and taking time to choose just the right one.   Even God waited on hearing the names of the animals when He “brought them to the man to see what he would name them.”  (Genesis 2:19)  God called Abram, commanding him to leave his country, his people and his home to go to a land God wanted to show him, promising several things, including to make his name great.  (Genesis 12:1-3)  Twenty four years later God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning ‘father of many’, as He made His covenant with Abraham to make his name great by making him father of many nations, including kings.  This is an everlasting covenant for all of Abraham’s generations: to be their God.  The Bible details what many names mean, and their significance for the one named.  Another example, Isaac, meaning laughter, was named to reflect on the time when his mother, Sarah, laughed upon hearing that she would bear a child.  (Genesis 18)  Sarah’s advanced age points again to the waiting game!

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The greatest name is the one God gave Himself: ‘I am’.

He qualifies (for those of us in need of clarification) what ‘I am’ means throughout scripture.  Here are a few of His definitions.

“I am God Almighty.” Genesis 17:1

“I am the Lord who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:13, Lev. 20:8

“Glory in His holy name.” 2 Chronicles 16:10

“I am compassionate.” Exodus 22:27

“And there he called upon the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.” Genesis 21:33

“I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.” Zechariah 1:14

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The Name above all Names, the great I am, Jesus, further illustrates and embodies what “I am” means in His life and His fulfillment of scripture.

“I am the bread of life.” John 6:35, 41, 48, 51

“I am from Him and He sent me.” John 7:29

“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12

“I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7

“I am the Good Shepherd.” John 8:11, 14

“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

“I am the vine and you are the branches.” John 15:5

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Jesus, the King of Kings

“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:10-11

It is by the Name of Jesus we pray, should live, and are saved.

What is your name?  Who do you say Jesus is?  How do you see Him defined by His Name?  How do you apply God’s definitions of who He is to your life in Christ?

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Going back to London…I am naturally pulling for the new Princess to be named Mary:) 

(all photos in this post are from http://www.telegraph.co.uk)

Expecting!

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The news is out, Duchess Kate is expecting a sibling for Prince George!  A second pregnancy allows the couple to know a little bit of what to will happen during this season of expectation.  What to wear, what to schedule and not schedule, where to travel, what to eat, are all somewhat familiar things to manage as she/they/we await the arrival of the 4th in line to the throne.

prince-william3--a Prince William in Oxford in first appearance since announcing Kate’s pregnancy. getty images photo

Isn’t life full of expectations?  Some expectations are unrealistic, and find us disappointed, like (not) winning the lottery.  Others are routine, yet are still sources of great joy and pride, as in high school or college graduation.  What are you expecting?  What are others expecting from you?  And, most importantly, what is God expecting from you?

Set some goals

A new school year has begun which causes most of us to punch the reset button even if we have been out of school for decades.  At this time of renewal, set some new goals, both long and short term.  List three “expectations” for each goal, and routinely check to see how you have met your own expectations.

Disappointing others unintentionally

You may be frustrating someone without even knowing it by not meeting their expectations.  Take a step back to examine how you interact with those close to you, and evaluate if you could be missing the mark in any area.  Communicating expectations between siblings, spouses, children and co-workers can eliminate a blow up down the road.  By simply asking how you are, or are not, meeting their expectations shows a great deal of care for your relationship.

What God expects from you

God’s expectations of man seem to be quite low.  He knew we would not be able to live up to His standard, and had a plan from the beginning to send His only Son as the perfect and only acceptable sacrifice for our sin in order for us to finally meet His high expectation of being clean, forgiven, and in relationship with Him.

He expects us to sin, and He expects us to ask for forgiveness.

So, repent.

He expects us to be in relationship with Him.

So, pray.

He expects us to love others.

So, intentionally and actively GO love others.

He expects us to continue to mess up.

So, repeat this process over, and over, and over again.

God’s Expectations Condensed

Love God with all your heart, and love others as yourself.

If you do these two things, everything, including expectations, will fall into place.

“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:37-40

Expecting some changes,

Mary Ellen